Allen Hill, ringleader of the Allen Oldies Band has rules for oldies. Just
being old does not qualify a song as an oldie. He marks the period between
1955 and Dec. 31, 1969 as the golden age of oldies. Allen admits time
frames require some flexibility.
Other ingredients in an oldies recipe: Embrace the fun, be short and sweet
about it. There's nothing mystical about an oldies song. That's the spirit
that propels the Allen Oldies Band, Houston's leg-shaking party ensemble
that keeps oldies warm as summer.
The band's name springs from Allen Hill's obsession with oldies. The
nature of the band is to provide a modern context for songs that are fading
away. Songs like Roy Head's Treat Her Right. Allen Hill, 37, also loves
summertime, it's his favorite holiday.
Free jazz and obscure blues have always been the domain of fringe audiences
and collectors. Both are a legitimate and worthy part of our musical history.
Artists such as the Louvin Brothers, Glen Campbell, Wanda Jackson, Wynn
Stewart and Hank Thompson would have only a hits package available in
the U.S. for years. Capitol Records' Nashville division has dedicated
resources to making those recordings available through iTunes. It's a lot
of music, but demand fueled its availability. And for some artists it is a new
shelf life. Royalties for the artists are often minimal. But, more important,
their work remains accessible.
When Allen Hill travels for a gig, he's in a tux: it's easier and it wrinkles less.
Watching him stomp across a stage, it's hard to imagine wrinkles being much
of a concern. We won't forget Allen Hill and the Allen Oldies Band.
www.bettygoparty.com
as our featured Band of the Week